Flughafen Wien AG confirms the receipt of the first instance ruling on the environmental impact assessment for the third runway.
The ruling lists over 460 individual requirements for the protection of residents and the environment. This first instance
ruling represents an important step to sustainably safeguard the future of the location and numerous jobs, not only at the
airport, but also throughout the entire economic and tourism region of eastern Austria.

Ruling requires minimisation of flight noise

The ruling clearly states that the goal is to create an optimised system which minimises the impact of flight noise
on affected residents. Examples of the specific requirements are visual and noise protection walls, extensive ecological
countermeasures on an area of 5 million m² and noise protection measures that are operational where ground noise is actually
expected ? similar to the Flughafen Wien noise protection programme. The current noise thresholds, which were defined by the
mediation contract, are even stricter than the limits set by the ruling and will continue to form the valid benchmark for
Flughafen Wien. The ruling also includes many other requirements, which will be evaluated by Flughafen Wien in the coming
weeks.

Most expensive environmental impact assessment in Austria

The first instance ruling was proceeded by the most extensive environmental impact assessment process in Austria to date.
With a duration of five years and 35 experts for 38 technical areas, the evaluation was particularly far-reaching and exact.
A total of 1,331 objections from 50 parties were dealt with ‑ at first glance an apparently high number, but actually
a limited scope for a project of this size. In comparison: over 100,000 objections were filed against the third runway in
Munich.

Residents involved from the beginning: Europes largest mediation process

This comparatively low number of objections should be viewed against the backdrop of a mediation process that is unique in
Europe. It involved Flughafen Wien, its partners Austro Control and Austrian Airlines as well as affected residents, citizens
initiatives, local communities and provinces. The negotiations lasted from 2000 to 2005 and resulted in binding civil law
agreements that far exceed legal requirements. For example, night flights were reduced and a wide range of noise reduction
measures was approved. A total of 2,500 households will be equipped with sound-proof windows, whereby 90% of this work has
already been completed. In agreement with Austro Control, different flight routes were established and many other compensatory
measures were defined for the involved residents and communities.

Implementation of measures for residents already started

The regulations defined by the mediation agreement for the construction of a third runway have already produced numerous benefits
for local residents. Many of the related measures are now operational: the night flight rule to reduce the number of take-offs
and landings, the noise protection programme with financial subsidies for sound-proofing adaptations in many households and
the noise tariff model that uses noise-based surcharges and discounts to the airport fees as a means of motivating the airlines
to use quieter aircraft. Flughafen Wien has always been committed to these agreements and will also support them in the future.
The dialogue forum, which was founded after the end of the mediation process, represents the continuation of this long-standing
exchange. It provides a platform for all parties ? citizens initiatives, local communities and Vienna Airport ? to discuss
current issues and develop solutions for problems.

Increase in ground capacity will be needed starting in 2020

The capacity of the two existing runways will, from the current point of view, be exhausted beginning in 2020. These runways
are aligned in a V-shape and, consequently, cannot be fully used as separate traffic areas. As a result, the airport actually
has only 1.6 instead of two runways. Vienna Airport serves as a key hub for Lufthansa and AUA, above all to the CEE region.
Slots for connecting flights are in high demand, especially at the beginning and the end of the day, but are already scarce
at these popular times. Without additional capacity, the airlines will face a lack of growth perspectives beginning in 2020.
The foreseeable consequence would be a gradual shift by major airlines away from Vienna. The third runway is therefore necessary
to safeguard the economic future of Vienna Airport. The earliest possible start of construction by Flughafen Wien on this
project would be 2016.

Hub function necessary for Austrias economy

Nearly 20,000 men and women work in over 200 companies at Vienna Airport. Every increase of one million passengers creates
roughly 1,000 additional jobs. In addition, a further 50,000 jobs throughout Austria are currently dependent on the airports
success. That makes Vienna Airport the regions most important job creator. The relocation of airlines and a decline
in the offering of destinations would have a substantial negative effect on the Austrian economy. Through its hub function
to the CEE region, the airport is particularly important for the hundreds of companies that have chosen Vienna as their headquarters
for Eastern Europe. Many of these companies would have to relocate their CEE head offices if it were no longer possible to
reach the major East European cities directly from Vienna. This would lead to a massive drop in purchasing power and the loss
of numerous jobs. Vienna Airport, in its role as a modern infrastructure company, therefore represents a key factor for prosperity
and growth, not only for Lower Austria and Vienna, but also for the entire country.

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